The Anglesey Coastal Path 2014
Day Five: 12th April
Weather: A cold wind, grey day but dry again.
Route: Brynsiencyn to Beaumaris - 14 miles
A hard act to follow after the delights of Newborough Warren, but another day and continued changing views. The weather was overcast for most of the day, with a little late sunshine. The day started with fresh eggs from the garden and a really good breakfast, almost too good and after a little faff I was out into the lanes once more. I didn’t bother with a packed lunch as there are plenty of options while walking through Menai Bridge. The route suffers a little today for lack of access to the coast in a couple of places and takes to the lanes a little more often than I would have liked. However they are trying their best to keep away from the main road where the traffic speeds along, having a strip of land inside the field boundaries which is safer than walking along the grass verges. It will improve when access is granted across the coast at Plas Newydd – at the moment I believe that Lady Anglesey doesn’t want a bunch of dirty hikers spoiling her view across the straits.
It wasn’t too far back to the coast from the B&B and a couple of lanes passing a tumbledown church at Llanidan House led to the pebble shore. After a short stretch of shuffling along on roly poly pebbles the coastal path veered inland and took to the lanes once more. It headed inland from Moel-y-don, up a long straight lane passing some estate railings adorned in twining Ivy – it looked like it was holding tight and not letting go. Not many views in the grey light and a mile or so on road I found another quiet path across farm pasture, passing by a strange laid hedge – made up of dead wood and branches. It will be good for wildlife but I don’t think it will last too long. Plenty of lush grass to walk along and a big estate farm at Plas Llwynonn, with a great double barn – must have been part of the Anglesey estate – maybe it still is? Unfortunately the path dropped back to the main road, where there were boardwalks laid over the worst stretches of soggy ground. About a mile of roadside walking followed before turning off the main road just before Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch – try saying that after a few pints. Down a short lane and out onto the shore once more led to the first delight of the fifth day, the views over to Pont Britannia over the Menai Strait.
I was lucky with the tides mostly (except for day six) and walking along the tidal margins has been relatively easy to do. They are trying to make the going as easy as possible with some great improvements – new concrete paths above the beach in this instance to keep feet dry above high tide. Where the beach is wide enough you’re left to your own devices to negotiate any damp patches, and this was a lovely stretch looking up to the Britannia Bridge, a mighty impressive structure. The path diverts uphill away from the shore to pass under the bridge in a streets of New York moment, with graffiti clad concrete, it’s a little bit of urban jungle in a rural setting. A little noisy up close below the road, but that soon dissipated as I walked steeply down back to the shore where the bridge can really be appreciated. Under the bridge the path took to the woods close to the shore with well placed benches to rest my weary bones and great views along the straits to the suspension bridge a little further on. I briefly stopped in a superbly built wooden bird hide before returning to the shore for the short walk into Menai Bridge for a pit stop. Low cloud was obscuring the big mountains so I had to make do with local scenes, passing a cunningly named hairdressers on the way into the town – British Hairways – complete with the appropriate logo and colours. Along the high street I found a fabulous cafe that served up great food and I spent a happy time replenishing my energy with some fine fare. I nipped down town to catch a brief glimpse of the suspension bridge and then resigned myself to walking out along lanes all the way to Beaumaris except for a 1/2 mile stretch at Pen y parc. There were interesting views over some of the small islands just after Menai Bridge and down to Bangor Pier a little further along. The sun made a brief appearance on my way down to Beaumaris and lit up the colourful seafront houses and the big wheel prominent down by the shore. Broody dark skies marked my approach to the B&B but the rain held off as I disappeared into my luxury retreat.
A different day on the Anglesey Coastal path, but once again always something to delight.
a walk along the lanes back to the coast from Brynsiencyn
pebble and shingle above the high water mark along the Menai Straits
behind me the mountains of the Llyn Peninsula retreat into the distance
the path diverts inland a kilometre past Llanidan
up farm tracks and minor lanes towards the main road
the Duchess of Anglesey doesn't like smelly old walkers intruding on her view. Hence the loop around the estate from Moel y Don
even the Ivy is barred
Crossing the A6 there is a route that avoids the main road for about a mile or two, passing Coed Llwynonn woods. This dead hedge was being laid, presumably to encourage wildlife to a plantation
quite pleasant away from the main road across fields
there is a permissive strip away from the road - just, with boardwalk laid on the wet areas. Well maintained by the powers that be, and runs for about 3/4 mile
returning to the coast just before the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
an old pier with pointy hut at Pwyll Fanogol
The Britannia Bridge spans the Straits of Menai from Ynys Welltog
the path runs under and down the side of the bridge to the shore. Banksy hasn't enjoyed the delights of this spot
an impressive sight from below and some treacherous waters flow beneath
a nice little walk along the salt marsh before reaching the village of Menai Bridge
a lovely spot to ponder the bridge from the bench. Further along is a wonderful hide
more boardwalk for dry feet. I love the clunk of boots along these parts of the way
the view from the hide looking over to the Thomas Telford suspension bridge
on the way into Menai Bridge village. A quick snip if you fancy it
the route takes you around the bridge and into the village
more road walking takes me north from Menai with views up the straits to the pier at Bangor
some sloppy looking mud at low tide at Ynys Gaint
the route takes to a road higher up on the way to Beaumaris, looking down over the pier at Bangor
a short section at Bodwylog takes me across fields before returning to the road just before Beaumaris
lumps and bumps in the fields and the Great Orme in the distance
back on the lanes for the last mile or so into Beaumaris and the sun is out against a threatening sky
low cloud covers the Snowdonia mountains, wet there and dry here
down into Beaumaris town and the big wheel
a storm brewing, but believe it or not it stayed dry for me
a last look back down the straits of Menai